Paul Martin wants to know his market value, so the Devils defenseman will become an unrestricted free agent at noon (ET) Thursday.

Although he and agent Ben Hankinson will entertain offers from other NHL teams, Martin isn't ruling out the possibility of re-signing with the Devils.

"I feel good about this. I have a little nervous excitement to kind of see what happens tomorrow and who is interested," Martin said today. "At the same time, we're still not ruling New Jersey out.

"I talked to Lou (Lamoriello) today and I let him know that just because I'm going to see what's out there and take advantage of the situation, it doesn't mean I'm out the door there."

Martin, a smooth-skating, puck-moving defenseman with a calmness in his own end, will be among the top defensemen on the market. But he isn't expecting to be offered Ilya Kovalchuk money.

"I have a feeling that no one is going to come in and really blow my socks off," Martin said modestly. "I think a lot of teams will be in the same ballpark and it will come down to where is the best fit.

"The one thing that I do know as far as the market on defensemen, there is definitely room on a lot of team is that need a top defenseman. As far as in the mold, you have Scott Niedermayer retiring and Sergei Gonchar getting a little older."

He earned $4.5 million last season, but played only 22 games because of a fractured left forearm that did not properly heal and required subsequent surgery.

The Devils have not yet offered Martin a dollar figure on a new contract.

"Lou and I talked a little bit about the changes being made in New Jersey and the direction they are headed," Martin said. "I've only played for one organization. I think with both sides it's going to come down to what's good for the team and what direction I want to go.

"We really didn't even talk numbers. I talked to him about three times. I think the option is there. It hasn't been, 'This is what we're looking for,' or 'This is what we can give you.' Kind of like a little standoff, but it hasn't been negative at all."

Martin wonders if the Devils are trying to get him below market value for two reasons: His injury last season and the fact that Lamoriello has convinced quite a few players to take less than what they are worth to remain in New Jersey.

"Maybe. He knows what type of player I am. It's not an injury that will affect me at all," Martin said.

"He made a point that we haven't been successful lately not being able to get past the second round of the playoffs for seven years. And you do have certain guys who sign for less than what they could get somewhere else."